Does anyone else own a 1989 Renault Master campervan? I need some advice and it's rare enough that I can't find anything online.

[Mastervan1989]

I just bought it and the previous owner has kept it in amazing shape for its age but barely drove it and there's questions I have now I own it.

Basically around performance, where certain things are and some quirks I've noticed.

If you do please comment here or message me.

Thanks.

 

[Grummyb]

I can't believe a 1989 reno master is still running
Welcome to the fun house

 

[Mastervan1989]

Thanks!

It's been well taken care of by the previous owner and had a full overhaul in June last year. Has solar and gas now too.

It's just got some quirks and things I don't know how to deal with that I was hoping someone who owns one can help me with.

 

[oldiesontour]

I would just post the question (s) you may have more response

 

[westhamman]

Welcome, as above post specific questions, people will answer,the problem is you may get 10 different answers.

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[Grummyb]

Welcome, as above post specific questions, people will answer,the problem is you may get 10 different answers.

unless its a lithium question thens its at least 20 answers

 

[Puddleduck]

Welcome, as above post specific questions, people will answer,the problem is you may get 10 different answers.

But some might be both sensible and useful.

 

[PeterCarole29]

I I may be able to help i have had 2 a long time ago is yours Petrol or diesel
I think i have a 2ltr cylinder head in the garage and posible a Carb also a diesel head

 

[PeterCarole29]

Some may remember there was a Renault masters club and Frog club back in the day. There was ex aircraft engineers who converted his van to a camper . excelent workmanship

 

[Mastervan1989]

You lot are right, I should have posted the questions.

So it's a Diesel, came pre-converted but needs work, has solar, water and gas bottle (which I removed). It's old and I know it'll have issues and quirks but I'm relatively inexperienced with older vehicles and I want to make sure I'm taking care of it correctly.

The questions I have are:

1: Is there a way to make the gear shifting easier? It seems very "wobbly" with the long gearstick and hard to find the correct one sometimes.
2: Damn she loud, is that normal or could there be a problem? If not, can I make her quieter?
3: How often should I change the oil and coolant?
4: Are there any common issues with this age of van that I should keep an eye out for?
5: Will there be any issues driving it for long periods?
6: Going uphill is a challenge, is that the same for bigger older vans?

I'd appreciate any advice honestly, I'm enjoying driving it and have my first holiday planned for the May bank holiday so want to make sure I don't break down and ruin it.

Thanks!

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[PeterCarole29]

The gear shift .There is a rubber gromet in the hole on the arm on the gearbox check it has a grommet in it.They were akways wobbly
The cover between the seats should be soundproof check the underside to see if its perished or been removed
there should also be a seal the cover fits down onto .
coolant is easy to change now so you know its good
oil in those days days they used to say every yr or 6,000 miles from memory

You should have no problem driving for long periods
It doesnt have a turbo so hills you will just have to change down

 

[PeterCarole29]

Would love to see a photo

 

[oldiesontour]

It's a long long time since I owned or worked on one but as a rule with any vehicle with a lot of play in the gear linkage check for wear play. at every join or pivot a little in a joint is a lot at the lever.Noisy they are gutless they are rot they do..oil change 6000 miles or once a year

 

[Mastervan1989]

Would love to see a photo

Fab answers, thank you very much!

Here's some pictures. Needs some bodywork and repainting but I'll get there.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

While not having experience of that model, my take on your questions is…

Give it a full service so you have a starting point for the maintenance. A yearly service after this would be usual but more regular oil changes if you are doing more than 6k miles a year.

Change the coolant so you know exactly what temperature it will be able to avoid freezing. Check all hoses for perishing and change any that appear to be suspect.

For noise suppression you can add additional carpeting inside which will also help to keep you warm in colder weather. The engine could be fitted with a fireproof sound deadening blanket. These were for sale everywhere in the 80’s but you could make your own quite easily and either tie it to the engine or screw it onto the firewall.

Gear linkages were notoriously common for wearing out the joints and rod ends so you might have some difficulty with perfectly fixing them but there are plenty of modern engineering parts off the shelf that can be used or adapted if bits are totally beyond repair.

As for driving, be sympathetic to the engine and gears and it will be fine. Stick a note on the back saying. ‘I might be slow but am in front of you ’

The only other thing is that the brakes will be old and potentially obsolete so get some spare pads and shoes if you can.

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[B+W vanman]

unless its a lithium question thens its at least 20 answers

All contradicting each other……….

 

[PeterCarole29]

Get yourself a Sat nav so you have an acurate speed when driving
Your speed is via cable from a 90 degree elbow (not electrical) so not very acurate
If you have it parked up a lot(long time ) leave the handbrake off . with any drum brakes they can sieze on
Check the inside of the tyres for cracking

I saw a van not a master but older van painted in Parana paint put on with a roller
I was very impressed with the finnish and very appropiate and acceptable i would say

For maintenance the other thing i would do is change the brake oil unless you have history to say its been changed only reason is if your doing lots of hills and braking when touring they used to have DOT 3 brake oil which can boil (dont panic ) I believe its a simply test with a metre to see its condition. Just change it for Dot 4. But not essensual